3rd practice session in Baku: Verstappen ahead of Russell & Hamilton, Antonelli in P4

Everything is a little different this Grand Prix weekend in Baku: Friday is like Sunday, as it usually is. Consequently, this is the last chance for the 22 Formula 1 drivers to fine-tune their cars’ set-up before the final practice session gets underway at 14.00 (our time) on 25 September.

With an air temperature of 25 degrees (and the track at 43 degrees), the third practice session got underway – in cooler conditions than on the first day of practice and with a freshening wind, which had blown plenty of leaves onto the track.

The section before Turn 7 had been resurfaced overnight ahead of qualifying day, as the new surface there had cracked during the course of the first day of practice.

There was hardly any action on the track in the first ten minutes, as if to say: ‘Let the others clear the track first.’

After a quarter of an hour, the top drivers finally got to work, but world champion Lando Norris was immediately called back to the McLaren pit: “We need to check something, please avoid high speeds.”

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Baku: Qualifying

FIA Formula One World Championship

25.09.2026 - 13:30

Baku specialist Charles Leclerc (four-time pole-sitter!) was slowed down during a run on soft tyres – we’ll see that happen a few more times in qualifying. The Monegasque driver had to start again.

After 20 minutes, both Ferraris were at the front, with Leclerc six tenths faster than Hamilton. Ferrari were on soft Pirellis, with Antonelli and Russell in their Mercedes behind them, though they were on the medium tyre compound. Nico Hülkenberg in the Audi was in P7.

Lewis Hamilton then moved up to P1, ahead of Max Verstappen (on medium tyres), whilst Leclerc struggled to beat Hamilton’s time.

Max Verstappen on the radio: “It feels almost numb in the final corner, and with the stronger wind, it’s all very tricky.”

After half an hour, championship leader Kimi Antonelli took the lead, 47 thousandths ahead of Hamilton, though Kimi was on medium-hard tyres.

At the same time, Canadian driver Lance Stroll had to pull his Aston Martin-Honda over to the side after hitting the wall on the left-hand side of the first corner.

McLaren were still searching for the best possible set-up: champion Norris in P6, Piastri (2024 Baku winner) in P7. The Australian on the radio: “I’ve got hardly any confidence in the car; it’s unpredictable how it’s going to behave.”

Max Verstappen messed up Turn 15, but managed to bring the Red Bull Racing car to a halt in the run-off area. The Dutchman on the radio: “It would be really nice if the car didn’t bounce around like a kangaroo for once.”

Lewis Hamilton locked a wheel at the first corner, ruining his lap. Then the seven-time champion went off the track at the third corner; fortunately, the car was undamaged. The drivers gradually picked up the pace.

George Russell (fastest in the first two practice sessions) moved into first place after 35 minutes, ahead of Leclerc, Antonelli, Hamilton and Verstappen.

Russell, the Englishman who had been so strong up to that point, then took to the track on soft tyres for the first time (as did Antonelli), as did Verstappen – now things were getting serious.

Russell had to abort his first attempt – a virtual safety car period because one of the fast drivers had once again missed a braking zone.

Russell was then half a second faster than before, consolidating his fastest time. Kimi Antonelli couldn’t keep up, but moved up to P2 ahead of Leclerc.

Not an ideal lap initially from Max Verstappen – only fifth fastest, behind the two Mercedes and the two Ferraris, almost a second slower than Russell. Kimi Antonelli closed the gap to leader Russell to just a quarter of a second. Then a sign of life from McLaren, with Piastri moving up to P5.

Max Verstappen gave it another go – with success: second place behind Russell, the gap reduced to 141 thousandths. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, he set the fastest time!

That really gets you in the mood for the final practice session.